Republic of Ireland V Gibraltar(A) 4th Sept & Georgia(H) 7th Sept 2015 - Euro 2016 Q

[DannyInvincible]

Not implying he's the long-term solution to our striking problems because I don't think he is (nor Daryl Murphy either), but what of Rooney for a start against Gibraltar? It's going to be warm which could tire the players likely to be involved in the Georgia game and he's got a good record in the SPL which is a good few levels above the Gibraltar defenders so he's likely to score and it won't do his confidence any harm either.

Interesting side note I haven't seen picked up on, I actually googled the Gib squad there to see had they any defenders at all playing outside of the domestic league. Jamie Bosio plays with Ashford United (well down the ladder in England) and, according to his Wiki page, he was born in Dublin, Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamie_Bosio. He confirms it himself here: https://www.facebook.com/Footballout...46546705556493

Interesting. Another addition to the select few southern-born players who have represented associations other than the FAI. The others of which I know are Shane O'Neill (USA), Éamon Zayed (Libya), Darren Meenan (NI) and Kenny Finn (USA).

[zero]

Worth noting we struggled badly in the home game once Keane and Hoolahan were subbed off.

Granted, we were 7-0 up at the stage, but Long and Doyle had half an hour to impress and didn't. I think Keane and Hoolahan are still key.

No point taking liberties in this one. Keane has proven himself time and again to be lethal against the minnows.

it was murphy not long who replaced keane - but yes, i recall he in particular did nothing of note in the 30 odd minutes he was on the pitch. doyle as you say came on for hoolahan. i seem to recall him running around a bit as is his wont but his confidence would have been very low at that time i'd suggest.

or to be more clear, though i've not seen much of him for colorado bar the goals, i'd still consider doyle a better player than murphy.

[pineapple stu]

You're right actually; Murphy, not Long.

Slightly surprised Doyle is in the squad actually; thought the move to the Rapids and his previous iffy form would have ended his international career.

[Crosby87]

What's everyone predicting?

[SkStu]

2 wins.

[Stuttgart88]

Two days before international start. Hardly any posts. Come on loads and lasses. Crosby, you're excused.

[geysir]

Crosby has crossed over but never quite got there?

[zero]

gibraltar are very weak, so i'm hoping for maybe 4-0 there.

i think the georgia game will be a struggle. i'd take a nervy 1-0.

[OwlsFan]

gibraltar are very weak, so i'm hoping for maybe 4-0 there.

i think the georgia game will be a struggle. i'd take a nervy 1-0.

Nervy is usually a euphemism for brutal. A nervy Scotland also beat them 1-0 so would be more than happy to match that, no matter how nervy we are. A high tempo, get stuck in to them early on, don't get anyone sent off and all should be well. I'll go 3-1.

[TrapAPony]

4-0 v Gibraltar
2-0 v Georgia

Anything other than two wins would be appalling

Scotland to beat Georgia 1-0

[zero]

the squad is to be cut (again) from it's current 28 to 23. i guess that will be done today?

[colonelwest]

Mason has 2 in 5 this season for Cardiff and finally looks to have eventually nailed down a starting place with them. He surely must be due a look in the spring friendlies next year or even should have been for the prelim squad for these two games.

[zero]

team prediction vs gibraltar:

given
coleman o'shea wilson brady
mcgeady hoolahan mccarthy mcclean
walters keane

i'd like to think long will start ahead of walters but i just don't see it happening. we'll see.

[nigel-harps1954]

Vs Gibraltar

Randolph

Coleman O'Shea Clark Ward

McClean McCarthy O'Kane Brady

Long Walters


Save the likes of Given, Wilson, Keane and Whelan for Georgia.

[IsMiseSean]

Two days before international start. Hardly any posts. Come on loads and lasses. Crosby, you're excused.

I'm finding it difficult to get excited for these games.
I don't think I've ever been this deflated going into the Sept games towards the end of a campaign.

[punkrocket]

I'm looking forward to Keane getting another hat trick on Friday.

[paul_oshea]

I'm finding it difficult to get excited for these games.
I don't think I've ever been this deflated going into the Sept games towards the end of a campaign.

I know what you mean I predicted against the others on here that Scotland would get the better of us and be happy with how Strachan has them winning and performing others weren't as convinced or concerned.

we are lucky in one sense how the fixtures fall so it gives false hope going into the last 2 games. but it would be just like the Staunton era if we had the last two games now. Out with not even a whimper.

I'll still be glued to the telly for both games though.

[back of the net]

4-0 v Gibraltar
2-0 v Georgia

Anything other than two wins would be appalling

Scotland to beat Georgia 1-0

Quite frankly Sir I find it appalling that u suggest anything other than 2 wins for us would be anything other than appalling



As for Scotland. ...I can see them conceding
..but they are a good team....
So I'll go for a 2-1 to Scotland against georgia

[Colbert Report]

Must pray for a Georgia win against Scotland.....and an Ireland win against them. Even then, we'd likely need at least two points from our last two matches - just can't see us finishing third.

[Crosby87]

I think our squad will be:

Butterfingers

GlueFactory Molasses CementShoes
Cant B. Arsed
McDrunky WhiskeyBreakfast I.M. Tired
Paddy O'Useless Past McPrime
Ima Terrible